About Knutson & Associates
Sharon Knutson | Owner/Broker
Sharon Knutson grew up on the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Maui, consistently around the warm feelings of Aloha, locals provide in the islands. Being a firm believer of Aloha, she has integrated this philosophy into Knutson & Associates.
Sharon attended the University of Hawaii, focusing on Accounting and Finance. She was first licensed at the age of eighteen on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Her career in real estate started with commercial sales in Downtown Honolulu.
Sharon is a third generation Realtor in her family owned business. Sharon was the Broker in Charge of Knutson & Associates for many years, all while raising 3 kids, and 2 dogs. Family is very important to Sharon; This reflects in the relationships she has with her clients. Values like trust and honesty are the foundation aspects, Knutson & Associates thrive on. Sharon emphasizes that at Knutson & Associates, we speak Aloha!
Sharon Knutson, PB License# R(B)-18518
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Blake Kessner | Principal Broker/Owner
Blake Kessner is the Owner/Principal Broker at Knutson & Associates, who is also son of Sharon Knutson, the other Owner of Knutson & Associates. He is the grandson to Marilyn Knutson, founder of the company.
Blake is a 4th generation broker..born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, so he knows his locations exceptionally well. Blake will do what it takes to gain your trust in allowing us the privilege to represent you for purchasing, selling, or managing property here on the Big Island of Hawaii!
Blake oversee operations for over 200 Vacation Rental & Long term properties on the Big Island of Hawaii. Therefore, his specialty is working with investment clients & Resort & Second Home Properties. Professional Development & Education is part of the foundation to Blake's success. Therefore, he has multiple certifications and designations in the Real Estate Profession.
CERTIFICATIONS & DESIGNATIONS
CLHMS: CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALIST
CRS: CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST
SRS: SELLER REPRESENTATIVE SPECIALIST
ABR: ACCREDITED BUYER'S REPRESENTATIVE
RSPS: RESORT & SECOND-HOME PROPERTY SPECIALIST
PSA: PRICING STRATEGY ADVISOR
RENE: REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATION EXPERT
CRB: CERTIFIED REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE MANAGER
SFR: SHORT SALES & FORECLOSURE RESOURCE
E-PRO: CERTIFIED
Blake Kessner, BIC License# R(B)-22317
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Cell: (808) 987-9295
Dominique Miller| Lead Property Manager
Dominique Miller was born and raised in Northern California and moved to the beautiful state of Hawaii almost 15 years ago. Since a young age Dominique has come from a family owned and operated property management company based in California. During her time here on the island she studied at the University of Hawaii with degrees in both Culinary Arts and Business Management. With degrees specializing in hospitality she will provide a personal based connection with each owner, guest, and tenant to ensure that all needs are met. Loving and living Aloha is not just a saying for Dominique, it is a way of life. She believes in family values and that each and every client will become part of the knutson family. When Dominique is not in the office you can find her with family and fur family enjoying all the beautiful views this island has to offer.
Dominique Miller, R(S) License #84111
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Kapena Ortiz| Assistant Property Manager: Maintenance
Kapena Ortiz is born and raised in Kailua Kona on the Big Island. His background in customer service had started with a career in the hospitality industry where he spent 7 years working at the Four Seasons Resort at Hualālai. He held a position at the #1 best spa in the country featured on Forbes. Being an employee of the Four Seasons, he has extensive training and certificates to accommodate the high standards of guests expectations. Over the years, he has had the pleaser of working and building relationships with a numerous amount of celebrities, athletes and CEO’s of large corporations. Not only is his experience solely in customer service, he also worked in construction with his dad where he acquired many different aspects of building and handy work. This makes a great edition for when it comes to the position as Assistant Property Manager in maintenance. He is very excited to start a career path in the real estate field and potentially will persevere in the future.
Kapena Ortiz
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 445-9363
Shyya Hao| Quality Assurance Manager: Head Inspector
Shyya is an essential part of Knutson & Associates. Shyya inspects our Vacation Rental Properties. Whether it be for an Arrival or Departure, her attention to detail is exceptional. Shyya helps ensure the Physical Integrity of our properties is upheld to our standards.
Shyya Hao
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Ellen Liu| Assistant Property Manager: Accounting
Ellen Liu is born and raised in Tulsa Oklahoma, coming to the Big Island in 2021. Ellen has come from a family that works in property management and was born into a entrepreneurial family. Her passion of real estate started at an early age from her family business. Her ability of communication, determination, and dedication will cater to the people around her. During the time on the island she has learned the importance of Ohana and the significance of helping other people. Ellen’s goals are to focus on pursuing her real estate career and to make sure people’s needs are met. Honesty, integrity, along with determination and dedication, are philosophies that Ellen strives for in all aspects of her life.
Ellen Liu
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Stephanie Kessner|Assistant Property Manager: Operations
Stephanie Kessner is the Daughter of Sharon Knutson, the Owner of Knutson & Associates and the Sister of Blake Kessner, the other Owner/PB at Knutson & Associates. She is the Granddaughter to Marilyn Knutson, the woman who made Knutson & Associates a reality.
Stephanie was born and raised in Kailua-Kona. After graduating high school, she moved to Hilo and attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo. After completing a full year there majoring in Administrative Justice and Hotel Management she moved back to Kona and shortly after that she decided to
move to the Island of Oahu, where she was accepted into the Paralegal Program at Kapiolani Community College. She graduated from the Paralegal Program with an Associates Degree in Paralegal Science.
Stephanie decided after graduating she would move back home to Kailua Kona. Where she would find a job at a Law Firm in Kona. While she searched for that job, she was hired at Office Max and worked in the Print Center. She excelled while working there because she previously had many years of experience working in the Customer Service Industry. She worked for Office Max for just shy of 3 years, when she finally landed the job she had been searching for all along, the job at a Law Firm. Stephanie jumped at the opportunity to have this job and started working for the Firm that specialized in the Laws of Copyright, Trademark, and Litigation. All these types of Laws were new to Stephanie but she was always up for
a challenge and she excelled her knowledge further of the different types of Laws and gained more important Skills that will forever benefit her in any job she has in Life.
Stephanie has now decided after working for the Law Firm for the last 5 years, she will now join her Family Business at Knutson & Associates Real Estate Company. She is excited for the future and her new career path in Property Management and Sales.
Stephanie Kessner
Knutson & Associates
stephaniewithknutson@gmail.com
Office: (808) 329-1010
Hunter Hinson|Assistant Property Manager: Operations
This 6th generation California native grew up on his family’s ranch on the central coast in Santa Barbara county. Hunter worked as a wild land firefighter, and studied real estate at UC Santa Barbara. While Surfing and fishing the coastline for 20 years, he was drawn by family and friends to the warmer waters of Hawaii, where he is inspired to help others find their paradise.
Hunter Hinson
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Mervyln Simmons|Assistant Property Manager: Operations
Born and Raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Mervlyn has become accustomed to the ever growing place she calls home, Kailua Kona, HI. As a mother of 3 wonderful children and a devoted wife, she has gained professional experience through many different styles of Businesses and has strived in each one. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors degree to obtain her degree in Science of Business with a certificate in Finances, she is also a licensed Insurnace agent, and helps out her community any way she can. Passion, accuracy, Customer Service and attention to detail, is her strong points and she will strive to exude that here. She was apart of Knutson & Associates in 2019-2020 and has been studying to obtain her Real Estate license ever since, she looks to join in with the great teamwork ethics here at Knutson & Associates.
Mervlyn Simmons
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010
Gemilie Ilao|Property Manager: Operations
Gem Ilao was born and raised on the island of Guam with two loving parents as the youngest of five children. Her family’s business taught her the value of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. Playing a variety of sports and representing Guam in a number of competitive events, taught Gem the value of leadership, team building, and perseverance. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Washington in Seattle and received a bachelor's degree in Communications.
Gem has been working in property management for six years. She is a strong communicator, providing excellent customer service to her clients/tenants, and a responsible operations manager making sure anything she needs to do is done right and on time. As a frequent visitor of Hawaii with family and friends living in Oahu and the Big Island, Gem understands island culture and living. She decided to move to Kailua-Kona to further her career in real estate sales and property management.
Gem is a very outgoing and enthusiastic person. She never takes opportunities for granted and will do her very best to find the perfect home and/or manage your properties for you. When she is not working, Gem is studying to receive her online MBA degree from Seattle University. She also enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and playing with her pet bunnies!
Gemilie Ilao
Knutson & Associates
Office: (808) 329-1010